Today we join with workers and unions across the world in celebration of the accomplishments and resistance of workers! In that light, and as the ongoing struggle with Phoenix persists, PIPSC is demanding action from the Federal Government.

In a recent survey, 46% of Canadians say six months is a “reasonable time to wait” yet PIPSC members have been waiting well beyond that timeline. That number rises dramatically to nearly 9 out of 10 Canadians (88%) when one includes those who believe two years or less is a reasonable time to wait.

“We’ve already waited well over two years for a solution,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “Now that the government has committed to finding an alternative, it needs to speed up implementation of those alternatives. Our members can’t wait another two years.”

Tens of thousands of federal employees  are still struggling with errors due to Phoenix that have left them paid too little, too much or, too often, not at all. PIPSC is continuing to push for timely implementation of an alternative system. “As an active partner in finding a new system as soon as possible, we intend to push for alternatives to be tried as quickly as possible,” added Daviau, referring to the working partnership announced in June between PIPSC and the federal government.

PIPSC is strongly advocating for the implementation of the Corporate Administrative System (CAS). This program is currently being used by the CRA and CBSA and can be readily updated to a full-fledged payroll system.

 “We believe the CAS system can be adapted and brought online much more quickly than the government’s current (and vague) timelines for implementing an alternative system,” said Daviau. “That would ensure at least 55,000 CRA and CBSA employees could be removed from the Phoenix pay system and paid through a new, much more reliable system sooner.  The government needs to speed up implementation of viable alternatives now. Our members can’t wait.”

PIPSC is pushing the government to start building a replacement to Phoenix now! 

Join us by clicking the link below to fill out an easy, one-step form that will send an email to your Member of Parliament and the Treasury Board Council Committee:

http://action.pipsc.ca/we_deserve_better

Across the country PIPSC members have been participating in Pride Parades as allies and members of LGBTQ2+ communities.

PIPSC marches in celebration of decades of struggle for human rights and in protest of the discrimination that people in LGBTQ2+ individuals and communities continue to face. PIPSC marches in solidarity with all those that march each year across the globe. And in respectful acknowledgement of the first Pride March in 1970 which marked the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots led by transgender women of colour in New York City.

This year in Ottawa PIPSC members joined with PSAC and CAPE members again for a union solidarity breakfast and to march together. In Montreal, our members travelled from across Quebec to march together with their community and in solidarity. Tag PIPSC on your Pride 2018 Facebook posts so that we can share and highlight the Pride in your community!

OTTAWA, August 30, 2018 – What’s a “reasonable time to wait for a replacement to the Phoenix pay system to be implemented”? According to a recent Environics Research survey commissioned by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), nearly half (46%) of Canadians say six months is a “reasonable time to wait.” That number rises dramatically to nearly 9 out of 10 Canadians (88%) when one includes those who believe two years or less is a reasonable time to wait.

It’s a response the federal government should bear in mind as it marks Labour Day, and while tens of thousands of federal employees still struggle with errors due to Phoenix that have left them paid too little, too much or, too often, not at all.

“We’ve already waited well over two years for a solution,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “Now that the government has committed to finding an alternative, it needs to speed up implementation of those alternatives. Our members can’t wait another two years.”

“As an active partner in finding a new system as soon as possible, we intend to push for alternatives to be tried as quickly as possible,” added Daviau, referring to the working partnership announced in June between PIPSC and the federal government. Among those alternatives is the Corporate Administrative System (CAS), an HR-to-Pay software program used by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that, PIPSC says, can be readily updated to a full-fledged payroll system.

“We believe the CAS system can be adapted and brought online much more quickly than the government’s current (and vague) timelines for implementing an alternative system,” said Daviau. “That would ensure at least 55,000 CRA and CBSA employees could be removed from the Phoenix pay system and paid through a new, much more reliable system sooner.  The government needs to speed up implementation of viable alternatives now. Our members can’t wait.”

The public opinion survey by Environics Research was conducted by telephone among 1,000 Canadians between July 3 and 8, 2018. The results can be considered accurate + or – 3.2%, 19 times out of 20.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents approximately 55,000 public service professionals across Canada, most of them employed by the federal government.

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter (@pipsc_ipfpc).

For further information:
Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext. 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca